Social housing is meant to be a lifeline—a safe, affordable place for those who need it most.

But what happens when a few bad apples spoil the bunch, leaving homes in ruins and communities in distress?

That’s the question on everyone’s lips in South Australia, where calls are growing louder for stricter penalties against tenants who deliberately trash their public housing.

The latest flashpoint comes from Paradise, a suburb where a housing trust property was left in a shocking state.

Photos from the scene tell a grim story: a collapsed ceiling, smashed windows, and a backyard overflowing with rubbish. The stench of urine reportedly lingered in the air, much to the dismay of neighbours who had been raising concerns for months.

The South Australian opposition is calling for stricter penalties for public housing tenants who deliberately damage their homes, saying they shouldn’t be re-housed until repair costs are repaid. Image source: Bruno Guerrero / Unsplash. Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.

'It smells like urine in here,' one local resident lamented, highlighting the impact not just on the property, but on the entire neighbourhood.

This isn’t just about one house. The issue is part of a much bigger problem. As of April 30, more than 15,000 South Australians are waiting for public housing, with nearly 4,000 in the most urgent 'Category 1' group.

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Meanwhile, over 1,400 public housing properties sit empty, many needing repairs or complete redevelopment before they can be lived in again.

It’s a vicious cycle: when homes are trashed, they’re taken out of circulation, making the wait even longer for those in desperate need.

The South Australian opposition is now demanding action. Their message is clear: tenants who deliberately damage public housing should not be re-housed until they’ve paid for the repairs.

'We don’t want to see people trash these community state government assets rewarded when there are so many people at the moment sleeping rough,' said Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia.

It’s a sentiment echoed by many in the community, who feel frustrated watching valuable homes go to waste while thousands remain homeless.

The government insists it’s not turning a blind eye. Housing Minister Nick Champion says they’re cracking down on antisocial behaviour, with a 'three written warnings' policy and more cases being taken to the tribunal than ever before.

'We are cracking down on antisocial behaviour,' Champion said. 'We’ve adopted a three written warnings policy, we’re taking more matters to the tribunal than ever before.'

Latest update on social housing from NSW. Source: ABC News (Australia) / Youtube.​

While many support tougher penalties, there’s also concern for what happens to tenants after eviction.

In the Paradise case, the tenant was evicted after the house was boarded up and bailiffs arrived. Neighbours expressed mixed feelings—relief that the property might finally be restored, but also worry for the former tenant’s welfare.

'I’m glad she’s gone, but on the other hand I do worry—does she have somewhere to live?' said David, a local resident.

You can view the original photos here.

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Key Takeaways

• The South Australian opposition is calling for stricter penalties for public housing tenants who deliberately damage their homes, saying they shouldn’t be re-housed until repair costs are repaid.
• Images of a trashed Paradise housing trust property have sparked outrage, showing extensive damage and sparking concern for thousands of South Australians still waiting for public housing.
• Data reveals over 15,000 South Australians are on the public housing waitlist, while more than 1400 public housing properties remain vacant and in need of repairs or redevelopment.
• The government says it’s cracking down on antisocial behaviour, using a three written warnings policy and taking more cases to the tribunal to address misconduct in public housing.

Have you seen similar issues in your community? Do you think the government should get tougher on tenants who damage public housing, or is there a better way to balance compassion with accountability? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Ittybitty]

Trouble these days is that many people think that it is their right to have public housing & the dole. The housing should be treated as a rental & regular checks made to make sure that the house isn't being trashed. If it is, they get evicted, no second chance. This should be written in the contract. By the look of that house it hasn't been checked for a long long time

 

[Morgans Orchard]

People whom trash houses provided by the government and are evicted should never ever be given another home after all it is the taxpayer that is paying for these homes to be built and be refurbished..Instead they should be given a tent and an area way out in the bush out of sight out of mind . After all this is the way they want to live . I can remember years ago down in housing department area near Hobart there quite nice red brick houses and if they were vacant ,and waiting to be repaired were being burned down . You would see all the windows and doors boarded up but still didn’t prevent it happening. A lot of the people had their homes and gardens looking quite nice but then next to them you had to see to believe Definetly give them a tent and if they want to P**s inside etc will be amongst their own kind see how they like that

 

[novezar]

This is exactly what happens when housing is provided & given to complete "Arseholes" who just don't give a "Shit" about anything.

 

[mylittletibbies]

There is the same problem with Srate Housng in WA and I should imagine it is the same in all states.
Time and again, you hear of bad tenants just being moved into another home, despite having wrecked the previous one.
I personally know of a woman who has trashed two properties and has been moved into a third.
In the meantime, genuine people wait years, and some even die waiting.
Anyone who is evicted from State Housing has already had more than adequate warnings and should not be given another property.
If they have nowhere to live, this is a self-inflicted problem, and I'm afraid I have no sympathy for them.
There are genuine good people out there waiting for homes. Many of them living in cars, on the streets, etc while these ferals keep being offered another property.
All State Governments need to pull their finger out and get all these thousands of wrecked homes, all over the country, back into liveable condition..
In WA, for example, many houses could be repaired with the money that our Premier is planning to use to build a racetrack that the majority of the population don't want.

 

[meighLeigh]

What is 'three warnings' - and why three?
Tenant trashes a public housing property, renders it unlivable.
1st strike: Tenant is removed from the property, and if s/he wants, is put at the end of the list of people seeking public housing. No sympathy for those who - to put it crudely - shit in their own nest. They have some psychiatric problem to do so - but, like drug and alcohol addiction, it's something they'll have to face up to and rectify themselves (with the appropriate help). Being on the end of a long waiting list for public housing might make them do just that.
2nd strike: tenant is barred from public housing.
It's costing the government and thus all taxpayers a fortune to maintain public housing. Public housing should go only to those who are prepared to respect their good fortune.
Rents and bonds are skyrocketing because the law is biased in favour of destructive or non-paying tenants, not the property owner who may be dependent on the rent for their own income. Public housing is becoming more sought after.
In short: renters (private and public) who refuse to respect the terms of their rental conditions are making it harder for the majority of us who do.
One Bad Apple Syndrome.

 

[rehandra]

In a previous life I worked for the NT Housing Commission. I have seen worse than this. Some people live in absolute squalor and sadly this is how children are brought up. The answer is more regular inspections and a tight reign must be held on tenants who do not adhere to the rules and regulations they were granted the tenancy. If they know they can game the system they do.

 

[meighLeigh]

In a previous life I worked for the NT Housing Commission. I have seen worse than this. Some people live in absolute squalor and sadly this is how children are brought up. The answer is more regular inspections and a tight reign must be held on tenants who do not adhere to the rules and regulations they were granted the tenancy. If they know they can game the system they do.

Agree in part - but private rental has regular inspections etc, and the devil's own job of evicting tenants who trash the place or don't pay the rent. Need to make it easier to evict bad tenants.

 

[Leenie]

This is exactly what happens when housing is provided & given to complete "Arseholes" who just don't give a "Shit" about anything.

They should not be given THREE warnings ( laughable) after trashing a home , a warning should be given when they move in and if not abided by then by all means toss them out on the street , then take part of their payments to cover the repairs, why should taxpayers be slugged to pay for damage by these grubs.

 

[Jest]

I blame the people who are supposed to be vetting these filthy mongrels. two visits then out. that is after they clean up their mess.
No sympathy from me, but plenty for the neighbours.

 

[Leenie]

There are 2 homes and 2 units ( Housing commission) on the corner from me , there has been some foul mouthed ones there drunken brawls etc on the street may I add some were aboriginal , and one has been there at least 10 yrs , the place is like a rubbish dump , the mother used to come up to the collection bins around the corner and push her daughter in to take items ,would come past with plastic bags full on a weekly trip, one day our butcher said this girl will get stuck in there as she had gotten quite tall so she started to put the younger one in . Thankfully they have taken the bins away .Most homes on our street are privately owned .